$10,000 went to 10 different charities in Juneau on Thursday.

The local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 4200, doled out the checks in $1,000 increments as part of its “first annual Giveaway.”

“We’ve done various functions, but not this large,” all at once, said board of trustees member Dan Ulery Jr.

The Eagles are a local, state and national nonprofit organization that fundraises and donates money to those in need. Their motto?

“People helping people,” Ulery said with a smile.

Ulery said the group had a surplus this year that needed to be donated out. He attributes the extra bucks to an ever-growing membership of Eagles in Juneau. There are 218 current members, with about 25 new members to be initiated in the near future.

“It’s all money that’s generated within our organization,” he said.

It took all of 2011 to raise the $10,000 — on top of all the fundraising they did for other projects, too, of course.

Aerie No. 4200 raises money throughout the year for specific causes and needs. For instance, if a person can’t afford a plane ticket to Seattle to visit a family member in the hospital, or if someone needs heating oil, they’ll help fundraise for the cause.

Ulery said the recipients of the giveaway were also people who were helping people.

“These people are helping everybody they can,” he said. “St. Vincent de Paul helps the families, the Glory Hole feeds those that just don’t have, the Southeast Food Bank gives to those in need. Good grief, it’s just wonderful.”

He says he hopes this is a tradition that will continue for years to come.

“Our sole intent is we raise money on our own within our own organization, and we find ways to donate to those in need,” he said.

The 10 recipients were: The St. Vincent de Paul Society, Gastineau Humane Society, Juneau Pioneer Home, Wildflower Court, Southeast Alaska Food Bank, Thunder Mountain High School Pep Band, the Glory Hole, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Salvation Army and Southeast Alaska Independent Living.

• Contact reporter Emily Russo Miller at 523-2263 or at emily.miller@juneauempire.com.